Premier League legends Gianfranco Zola and Ian Wright have agreed that Wesley Fofana should take the blame for Arsenal’s equaliser against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Chelsea and Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge after a feisty affair on Sunday evening.
Chelsea played with ten men for the majority of the game after Moises Caicedo was shown a straight red card for a wild tackle on Mikel Merino.
Despite being one man down, it was the Blues who took the lead in the 48th minute through Trevoh Chalobah.
Merino equalised for Arsenal 11 minutes later, heading home Bukayo Saka’s cross.
Merino was unmarked with Fofana failing to track his run into the six yard area.
Speaking on Premier League Productions, Ian Wright identified Fofana as at fault for the goal.
“Fofana as the central defender, he leaves him,” Wright said.
“He’s now ball watching and he’s hoping the ball doesn’t get put in a good position instead of making sure he’s back another yard. Because with another yard, Fofana is maybe able to flick it away.”
Chelsea legend Zola said it was unacceptable for the French defender to leave his man unchecked.
“I agree, it is the mistake so many defenders make, they get attracted to the ball, they start ball watching and they lose the opposition who is going in behind them,” Zola said.
“It happens, it is so common. A defender who loses his man in the box, it is not acceptable.”